In my search for a media center front-end, Home Assistant server, media server, and do-everything-else computer, I briefly considered buying a Raspberry Pi. Then I caught wind of the used Mac mini market, and it was clear which direction made more sense. It’s not that I don’t appreciate what the Pi can do, but in my circumstances Apple’s cheapest all-in-one is clearly a better choice. Here’s why. The Mac Mini Can Do More Things at Once I bought a used M1 Mac mini with 16GB of RAM, released in 2020....

Quick Links I’ve long thought of portable power backs as having two purposes—providing power when traveling or when the power’s out. Turns out these batteries are worth using around the house, even when the power’s on. Here’s why I’ve started leaving batteries lying around everywhere. 4I Can Charge Anywhere in the House I live in a home with an open-concept layout. In the living room, our sofa sits in the middle, far from any walls or outlets....

Quick Links Summary With the iPhone 16e, Apple has forever changed the meaning of an affordable iPhone. If you’re considering upgrading from a two- or three-year-old handset, here are several reasons why the iPhone 16e should be on your list. iPhone 16e Has a Compact Form Factor If you’re in the market for acompact flagship with a premium build, the iPhone 16e shouldn’t disappoint you. The handset is about the same size as the vanillaiPhone 16, which makes for comfortable one-handed usage....

Quick Links If you want to run Linux and Windows 10 or 11, you’re probably deciding whether to set up a dual-boot system or install a distribution using Windows Subsystem for Linux, or WSL. Here are some reasons you might want to go with WSL. 1Availability of WSL Software One reason toinstall WSLis to get access to the wide variety of software available for Linux. Windows has had a tradition of freeware and shareware going back to the days of MS-DOS....

Summary Have you ever wondered if there was an easier way to install and update apps on your Windows 11 machine? One of the best tools for doing so is the Windows Package Manager (WinGet), which ships with the operating system itself. What Is WinGet? WinGet is a Windows package manager that allows you to search, install, remove, and update Windows applications through a single command line application. For most Windows users, a command line seems like a blast from the past....

Summary If you were lucky enough to have internet access in the early ’90s, it was likely through a Unix shell account over a dialup modem. Most regular users have moved on to direct internet connections, but you can still get a shell account, and there’s some cool stuff you can do with one. What Is a Shell Account? A shell account is what it sounds like: an account on a remote system that gives you access to a shell....

Summary Staying on top of firmware updates is essential for most modern devices, and that includes video game controllers. Game Controllers Have Firmware Updates Now Firmware updatesfor game controllers serve a similar purpose to those provided for computers and game consoles an operate like software patches. They can fix possible bugs or errors discovered after the console’s release, update compatibility so that the controller retains its usability, and sometimes improve the controller’s functions or add entirely new ones....

Quick Links Summary Streaming services can replace your traditional cable service, and you may not have to give up your favorite channels to make the change. Hulu (+ Live TV) and YouTube TV are two popular options. Hulu has the better library, but YouTube TV gives it a run for its money. So which should you choose? $76.99 90+ $72.99 100+ No Unlimited The two services have comparable pricing plans....

Games that have a good romance sideplot are great. They highlight the need to build authentic bonds, since companions react to the player’s actions. While it can seem hollow, many games feel like romance sims when they do it right. Fallout 4had a well-developed system for romance since there were many companions you could pursue romantic relationships with. What made the relationship system feel deep was that you had to spend time building trust and connection with characters over time....

Whether you’re browsingNetflixat home, on your commute, or on vacation, one universal problem unites us all: finding something good to watch. Luckily, I’m here to suggest three shows that are perfect for a weekend binge. None of these shows are seemingly endless beasts that require a considerable commitment. Instead, they are tight experiences that you can easily finish this weekend. 2018 1 10 3 hours 58 minutes Status Ended For a sweet coming-of-age comedy-drama that will take you less than four hours to watch beginning to end, look no further thanEverything Sucks!...

Quick Links Summary All industry trends point to higher frame rates and resolutions being superior. Modern flagship phones are capable of getting in on this trend by recording videos at 60 FPS or higher, which makes for a smoother image, but what are you sacrificing in return compared to 30 FPS? 60 FPS Looks Significantly Smoother To better understand why 60 FPS is smoother than 30 FPS, let’s first understand what FPS actually means....

You don’t need a telescope to enjoy the night sky—not when your phone can show exactly what’s overhead. With the right app, just point your device at a patch of stars and get names instantly, or track celestial objects as they move across the heavens in real time. SkyView For an easy-to-use augmented reality app that lets you point your phone at the sky and instantly identify stars, planets, satellites, and constellations, SkyView is a top choice....

Quick Links Last year, I decided to tackle my greatest sin: my gaming backlog. My library was full of unfinished games—some of them I’d never even installed. That pile kept growing out of control as I bought the latest releases. I wanted to play all these games, but how? I got serious and employed various techniques to help me clear my pile of shame. While I’m not yet at zero, I’ve reduced my backlog massively and had a wonderful time doing so, diving into all sorts of different games and getting satisfaction as I check off each one....